ErieBlogs.com: Erie PA News and Events Saturday July 14, 2007

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Erie PA News and Events Saturday July 14, 2007

Posted by Dennis on July 14, 2007

William “Bill” Hirt, board chairman of the Erie Indemnity Company and retired president and chief executive officer of Erie Insurance, passed away on July 13, 2007, at the age of 82. During his tenure as CEO (1976-1990), Erie Insurance grew 15 times in assets and nine times in premiums, making it larger than 99 percent of the 3,000 property/casualty insurance companies in the country. Mr Hirt also founded Erie’s life insurance affiliate, Erie Family Life Insurance Company. With the exception of a three-year hiatus from 1990-93, he served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Erie Indemnity Company from 1981 until his passing. A successor to Mr. Hirt will be elected shortly by the Erie Indemnity Company Board of Directors. Mr Hirt had been associated with Erie Insurance literally all his life. Born in Erie on October 8, 1925, just six months after his father, H O, opened the doors of the Erie Insurance Exchange, he began his formal employment at ERIE at age 12 and succeeded his father as president and CEO, a position he held until his retirement in 1990. During his distinguished career, he also served as corporate secretary, vice president, executive vice president, treasurer and chief financial officer. A graduate of Academy High School, Mr Hirt served in the Pacific as a Radar Officer during World War II. After being mustered out of the Navy in the summer of 1946, he graduated from Wittenberg with a bachelor’s degree in business in June 1947. He then attended the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, earning a master’s degree in business administration in 1949. Upon graduation, Mr Hirt returned to Erie Insurance, where he used his accounting and data processing skills to mechanize the ERIE’s accounting system and eventually its policy processing system. According to A M Best Company, Erie Insurance Group, based in Erie, Pennsylvania, is the 15th largest automobile insurer in the United States based on direct premiums written and the 22nd largest property/casualty insurer in the United States based on total lines net premium written. The Group, rated A+ (Superior) by A M Best Company, has over 3.8 million policies in force and operates in 11 states and the District of Columbia. Erie Insurance Group ranked 463 on the FORTUNE 500 and Erie Indemnity Company is included in Forbes Magazine’s PLATINUM 400 list of the best-managed companies in America.

Kevin Caffrey is riding a bike from Erie PA to Key West Florida, an 1,800 mile ride. The fundraiser for the Jimmy Valvano V Foundation for Cancer Research was set up by his fraternity, Delta Chi, at Gannon University in Erie. So far, he has raised $3,500 of his $10,000 goal. You can follow his travels at Journey for the Cure. If you would like to help sponsor Kevin Caffrey on his ride, you can make a donation to The V Foundation for Cancer Research by visiting The V Foundation’s website, calling 1-800-4-JimmyV or mailing your check to: The V Foundation for Cancer Research, 106 Towerview Court, Cary, NC 27513. Be sure to mention Kevin Caffrey’s name.

The Community Blood Bank starts the biggest promotion in its 40 year history on Monday July 16th. Drawn to Life is an event that teams the CBB with celebrity sports artist Kevin-John Jobczynski. Kevin-John will create a custom 30 X 40 graphite work of art for the winner. Every donor from July 16th through December 31st will be automatically entered for a chance to win and one lucky donor will be chosen at random. This amazing work of art is valued at $20,000. The winner will be able select the subject matter; a family portrait, the house, the car, the dog, whatever they’d like Kevin-John to create. This is a once in a life time opportunity for someone to win a truly wonderful gift that will be enjoyed for decades to come. Donors give the gift of life and Kevin-John is giving the gift of a lifetime. “We continue to be amazed by the support of our community and we are so grateful for the generosity of Kevin-John and we know that people will come out and donate, not just to win this Drawn to Life promotion but to save lives locally.” said Dan Desrochers, Director of Marketing and Community Relations at the Community Blood Bank.

Moise ‘Mike’ Waltner, a Democrat, announced his candidacy for the United States Congress serving the 3rd Congressional District of Pennsylvania. Waltner is a native of Erie and a graduate of Penn State University. After graduation from Union Theological Seminary, Waltner served as Director of Operations at the Interfaith Center of New York before returning home to further his ministry and to pursue public service opportunities in the area. Mike and his wife Heike reside in the City of Erie.

Penn State students will pay 4.3 to 5.5 percent more in tuition this fall under a budgetary plan approved yesterday. At Penn State Erie, The Behrend College tuition will rise $466 for Pennsylvania residents and $700 for out of state residents.

There is a sports story below about Behrend that points out that 34 percent of the student body is female. Sucks if you’re a guy there.

The Mary D’ Angelo Performing Arts Center is getting its own web site. Here’s the work in progress.

Former Erie residents Jennifer and James Wolfe Jr will be featured on Monday’s episode of “Extreme Makeover.” When they lived in Erie, James worked for the Erie Police Department, and Jennifer worked for Emergicare. The couple now resides in Arizona.

The Erie SeaWolves won their fifth straight game on Friday night with a 10-5 win over the Bowie Baysox. The win also gave the ‘Wolves six in a row over Bowie. The ‘Wolves and Baysox meet in the third game of a four-game set on Saturday night at Jerry Uht Park, 7:05 first pitch. RHP Dallas Trahern (10-4, 3.50 ERA) takes the mound for Erie. Trahern leads the Eastern League in victories as he goes for his 11th against RHP Radhamez Liz (6-4, 3.73 ERA). The first 1,000 fans through the gates receive a free 16 oz cup with the SeaWolves logo.
The Detroit Tigers traded SeaWolves pitcher Roman Colon to the Kansas City Royals yesterday for a player to be named. Colon was charged with assault in June. He was fighting with a Toledo teammate when another player, Jason Karnuth, tried to break it up. Karnuth had a number of bones in face broken. He was suspended for seven days and later demoted to Class AA Erie.

Brian Chad became the third Mercyhurst College baseball player to sign a professional contract this year, inking a deal with the Utica Brewmasters of the New York State League. Chad, a 6-foot-5 pitcher, completed his college career with the Lakers in 2007. Chad joins former teammates David Lough and Brian Espersen in the professional ranks. Lough was an 11th round draft pick of the Kansas City Royals and is currently playing for the Burlington Royals, while Espersen was an 18th round draft pick by the Houston Astros and is playing for the Tri-City Valley Cats.

On the thirty-fifth anniversary of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Penn State Behrend has been recognized for being a leader in providing athletic opportunities for women. In a Chronicle of Higher Education cover story on Title IX on June 29, 2007, the Chronicle’s reporters explained that one option the US Department of Education provides for colleges to demonstrate that they are offering female athletes a fair chance to play sports is by showing that they have “at least the same proportion of athletes who are female as undergraduates who are female.” The article goes on to list Penn State Behrend in the top four NCAA Division III schools in the country in that category, with 50 percent of the college’s athletes being female compared to 34 percent of the student body as a whole.

Erik Barzeski has a review on The Sand Trap of Whispering Woods Golf Club in Erie - “Whispering Woods is clearly Erie’s best public course, and it will only get better as the course matures.”

The 62nd Annual North East Fire Department’s Cherry Festival will be held through today at Heard Memorial Park in downtown North East. Plenty of food, rides, games, and, of course, cherry pies. The parade is scheduled for today, July 14 at 4 pm. For more details, call (814) 725-5616.

The JazzErie Jazz Walk takes place today, Saturday July 14 at 13 downtown Erie venues which will feature live jazz. A $10 admission button, which covers all venues. Two trolleys will be available to transport people from one venue to the next.

The comedy “Moonlight and Magnolias” about the making of Gone With The Wind is being performed at the Erie Playhouse tonight, July 19-22, and 25-29. Showtimes are 7:30 pm with a 2 pm Sunday matinee.

Scott and Kim McClelland take the stage together this summer for the first time since 1996. The McClelland’s met 20 years ago in the summer of 1987 at the Erie Playhouse. As a way of celebrating their life in the theatre, they have created “Lovers Haters and Others.” The Roadhouse Theatre show is homage to the great love affairs written for the stage. Classic and poetic love stories will be paired with epic vicious battles between famous characters from theatrical history. “Lovers Haters and Others” runs Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm July 6 - August 4. Admission: $8 (student), $10 (regular), $12 (riser) and $15 (VIP) Box Office Phone: (814) 456-5656.

Grammy nominated contemporary Christian group NewSong and Dove Award winner Avalon, two well known groups in the realm of contemporary Christian music will perform at NorthLake Family Recreation Center in Westfield NY on July 14 and 15 as part of the “Let There Be Light” music festival fundraiser. Along with these two international and nationally known groups will be Jeff Deyo, one of the original band members of the Dove Award winning Sonicflood and considered by many as the premier praise and worship leader of our day. Sixteen other artists will also be performing including a former Kingdom Bound talent winner, Tina Marie Williams. National, regional and local artists who will also be performing include Among the Thirsty, One Foot in Heaven, The Gathering, Briana Scott, Relevant Worship, Brooke Yaiser, Skip Roberts and Soul Provider and The Bill Ward Band. A complete list of performers can be found on their web site.

Lake Erie Speedway has its annual Monster Truck Mania today. This year’s event, sponsored by Gary Monahan’s Truckin 4WD Center and State Farm Insurance will feature a freestyle competition on Friday night, and Figure 8 style racing on Saturday night. The Monster Trucks that will be competing at Lake Erie Speedway in 2007 are Bigfoot, Snakebite, Devils Dodge, Storm Damage, Eradicator, Backdraft, Killer Bee and Thrasher. The front gates will open at 6:00 PM on both nights, with the “Party in the Pits” lasting until 7:00 PM and the show starting at 8:00 PM. Ticket prices are $18 for adults. Kids 12 and under are $7.

Roger Knacke, professor of physics and astronomy and director of the School of Science at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, will host an Open House Night in Astronomy on Wednesday, July 18, titled “The Summer Stars.” Beginning at 8:30 pm, Knacke will lecture in 101 Otto Behrend Science Building on the astronomical splendors of the summer sky. Weather permitting, astronomical viewing of the moon, Venus, Saturn, Jupiter, stars, and nebulae using the college’s Mehalso Observatory will follow from 9:30 until 11:00 pm. Open House Nights in Astronomy are free and open to the public, and intended for a non-technical audience age 6 and up. For additional information, call (814) 898-6105.

Lvsitanvs, a pair of Portugese sister-carillonneurs, will perform duets on the Floyd and Juanita Smith Carillon at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, the evening of Thursday, July 19. The performance is part of the college’s summer Smith Carillon Concert Series. It begins at 7 pm and is free and open to the public, and refreshments will be served. Seating will be on the lawn of the John M. Lilley Library, so concertgoers are encouraged to bring a chair or blanket.

Gannon University’s Schuster Theatre presents the 4th Annual Shakespeare Summer Nights with performances outdoors on the Friendship Green located near the Gannon Arch on West 7th Street. Shakespeare’s magically, romantic fantasy, The Tempest directed by Paula Barrett will run July 19th, 21st, and 27th. The mysteriously, deceptive tragedy Macbeth with a modern twist is directed by Zach Flock, with performances July 20th, 26th, and 28th. All performances begin at 7:30 pm, and are FREE and open to the public. For more details, call (814) 871-7493.

The Presque Isle Parrothead Club 2007 Key West Fest will be held July 20-21 at Liberty Park on the bayfront in Erie PA. Admission and parking are FREE.

The summer heats up on Thursday, July 26 for the BBQ, Blues and Brews benefit event for the Erie Art Museum from 5 pm to midnight. This FREE event features a smokin’ BBQ prepared by Pufferbelly Restaurant, live music and a scavenger hunt throughout the Museum’s galleries. The Museum’s 5th Street parking lot transforms into an outdoor dining courtyard from 5-8 pm. The event moves to State Street from 8 pm to midnight where State Street grooves to the music of One World Tribe and a performance by Erie’s African Dance Troupe, Sylla Kunda. Ol’ Dogs grills up their gourmet hotdogs. Of course the brews will still be on tap. A portion of the proceeds from the BBQ and beverage sales will be donated to the Erie Art Museum.

The Wattsburg Erie County Battle of the Bands and Music Festival will be held Friday evening July 27 and Saturday July 28 at the Erie County Fairgrounds.

Discover Presque Isle will be held July 27-29, 2007 at Presque Isle State Park. No matter what your age or interests, there is something for everyone. Admission and parking are FREE.

The Counting Crows, Live and Collective Soul will play a concert at Jerry Uht Park in Erie, PA on July 31 as part of “The Rock ‘n’ Roll Triple Play Ballpark Tour.” Tickets go on sale June 2 at 10 am. Tickets can be purchased at the SeaWolves box office at Jerry Uht Park and on SeaWolves.com. Children under 12 get in FREE with each paid adult ticket holder.

The Motorcycle, Car, Boat and Truck show called the Lake Erie Classic will be held August 3-5 at Erie International Airport, Tom Ridge Field.

The 15th Annual Erie Art Museum’s Blues and Jazz Festival, the largest jazz and blues event in the Erie region, is a 2 day Festival held August 4 and 5 at Frontier Park in Erie, Pa. Bring a blanket or lawn chair. A variety of festival fare will be available from local vendors and restaurants. Admission to all Festival events is free. Saturday August 4 - 12 pm One World Tribe with the UpRise African Drum and Dance Ensemble, 2 pm Familiar Spirit Band, 4 pm Geoff Achison, 6 pm Lil’ Ed and the Blues Imperials, 8 pm Junior Brown Sunday August 5 - 12 pm Gem City Jazz Band, 2 pm Cats A Bear, 4 pm Babik, 6 pm Stew Cutler Trio, 8 pm Rashied Ali Quintet Ongoing: WQLN Kids Tent, Festival Fare, LEAF Arboretum Tours/Green Tag

The Lake Erie Chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association will host its 2007 steak fry on Saturday, August 4, at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College. The annual event, which will be held at the Wilson Picnic Grove on the campus of Penn State Behrend, begins with a social hour at 5 pm, followed by the dinner’s signature “grill your own” steak fry at 6 pm. The fund-raiser is open to all Penn State alumni. Proceeds benefit the Lake Erie Chapter’s Robert W Sparks scholarship fund, which has awarded more than $55,000 to local students in the past 16 years. Tickets for the annual steak fry fund-raiser are $19 per person. For more information or to RSVP, contact Phil Mobilia, president of the Lake Erie Chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association, at 814-725-1999 (home) or 716-483-7219 (office), or via e-mail at Phil.Mobilia@psualum.com. Please respond by July 30. Visit www.behrend.psu.edu/alumni for more information about the Lake Erie Chapter or to become a member.

Representatives of the waterfowl organizations, individual sportsmen and the public are invited to attend a briefing on Friday, Aug 10, sponsored by the Pennsylvania Game Commission and the Northwest Pennsylvania Duck Hunters Association, on the status of Atlantic Flyway waterfowl populations and proposed preliminary federal frameworks for the 2007-08 hunting seasons. The briefing will begin at 1 pm, in Room 112 of the Tom Ridge Education Center at Presque Isle State Park in Erie.

Dennis Weed